Renaissance Spirea Care & Maintenance

Renaissance spirea can fit into most landscape plans.

Renaissance spirea (Spirea x vanhouttei "Renaissance"), also called bridal wreath spirea, is a large shrub that produces masses of white flowers on arching branches. Suitable for growing in Sunset's Climate Zones A1 to A3, 1 through 11, 14 through 21 and 43, Renaissance spirea makes a beautiful specimen plant or can be part of a landscape plan that includes larger shrubs.

Characteristics

Renaissance spirea is a fast-growing, deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 5 to 8 feet and a width of 6 to 10 feet at maturity. It has long, arching branches that give the plant a form reminiscent of a fountain. The branches are covered with small, blue-green leaves and bear dense clusters of tiny white flowers. Renaissance spirea usually flowers in late spring but can continue blooming into early summer. Its white flowers bring bees and butterflies into your garden.

Requirements

Renaissance spirea grows and flowers best when planted in full sun, although it can also do well in partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soil and needs once-weekly watering except during hot spells, when extra watering is advisable. Fertilize your plant early in the spring, before new growth begins. Use a balanced formula, applying it by either foliar spraying or mixing granular fertilizer into the soil.

Pruning

Remove any unwanted stems and branches from your Renaissance spirea in early spring, before blooming begins. To control the size of your plant, prune back stems to strong side-shoots in the summer, after blooming has finished. Use hedge trimmers or a hand clipper to shear the tips of arching branches, smoothing the overall shape of the plant and cutting back any especially long stems.

Problems

Several insects and diseases can affect Renaissance spirea. Spirea aphids may occur in large numbers, feeding on leaves until they curl, become distorted and eventually drop from the plant. Spray the plant with a strong water stream to help kill the insects or, if infestation is severe, use insecticidal soap or an insecticide labeled effective against aphids. Renaissance spirea is susceptible to several fungal diseases, including gray mold and verticillium wilt. These diseases cause browning of flowers, yellowing of leaves and premature loss of leaves in late summer. Prune back affected portions of the plant, sterilizing tools between uses, and spray with an appropriate fungicide if infestation becomes severe.

About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.